Texas Stars Report

Texas Stars ReportThe Texas Stars lost two of three games (1-2-0) over the past week, and are now 28-14-5 on the season. Texas is first in the West Division and in second place in the Western Conference, one point behind Grand Rapids.

The Texas Stars lost two of three games (1-2-0) over the past week, and are now 28-14-5 on the season. Texas is first in the West Division and in second place in the Western Conference, one point behind Grand Rapids.

Texas center Travis Morin was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Month for January after registering 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 11 games. It was the second time this season that Morin has been the league’s player of the month.

The Stars wrap up a seven-game homestand on Tuesday and then begin a stretch of five straight on the road.

Here’s the latest on Dallas’ AHL affiliate.

Wednesday, January 29: San Antonio 4, Texas 2

The Stars lost for a second straight time at home for the first time this season, falling 4-2 to San Antonio Wednesday at Cedar Park Center. The Stars had a 46-18 shots advantage in the game, but Rampage goaltender Michael Houser stopped 44 shots. Scott Glennie and Travis Morin scored for Texas. Josh Robinson got the start in goal, stopping 14 of 18 shots.

“I thought the first period we played pretty good and the second was one of our best periods of the year,” said Texas coach Willie Desjardins. “They’re just good. We played hard. They battled and they deserved what they got. Goals went in for them, they didn’t go in for us.”

Saturday, February 1: Texas 6, Toronto 0

Christopher Nilstorp returned from injury that kept him out a little more than a week and stopped all 19 shots he faced as the Stars defeated Toronto, 6-0, at Cedar Park Center on Saturday. Chris Mueller and Maxime Fortunus both registered two goals and one assist in the game. Curtis McKenzie and Mike Hedden also scored for the Stars, who outshot the Marlies 49-19 and scored three power play goals on 11 opportunities in the game. The victory snapped a two-game home losing streak for Texas.

“As we’ve been saying all season, we want to win at home,” said Fortunus. “It’s our turf and we need to get all the points we can at home. We really had to bounce back tonight.”

Sunday, February 2: Oklahoma City 7, Texas 4

The Stars and Oklahoma City were tied 3-3 midway through the game, but Oklahoma City rattled off three unanswered goals in a 5:58 span of the second period to take control of the game and would go on to defeat Texas, 7-4, at Cedar Park Center. McKenzie, Hedden, Brett Ritchie and Ryan Button scored for Texas. Nilstorp got the start in goal and allowed seven goals on 32 shots.

“They just beat us tonight. They were the better team. It’s pretty simple,” said Desjardins. “We have to find ways to be better.”

The Idaho Steelheads, Dallas’ ECHL affiliate, went 1-1-1 over the past week. The Steelheads are 21-16-5. They rank third in the Mountain Division and fifth in the Western Conference.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Mark Stepneski is an independent writer whose posts on DallasStars.com reflect his own opinions and do not represent official statements from the Dallas Stars. You can follow Mark on Twitter @StarsInsideEdge.